Golden Vekoma comes out on top in the Saudi Derby (Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Mathea Kelley)
Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Press Release
United Arab Emirates representative Golden Vekoma (USA) provided a major moment for British jockey Connor Beasley as he came out top in a fine finish to the US$1.5m Saudi Derby presented by ZOOD Realty.
Trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash targeted the 1600m Group 3 after his victory in last month’s UAE 2000 Guineas and he was ridden with confidence by Beasley as the Japanese challengers quickly made their way to the head of the field.
It was Shin Forever (USA) who made the break for home under Akira Sugawara and it looked as if his move would prove decisive until deep into the straight, with Golden Vekoma wearing him down and scoring by a length and three-quarters in 1:38.185.
Quotes:
Connor Beasley, jockey, Golden Vekoma, 1st: “These were deep waters today but he showed his class. It’s a big day for myself and the whole team.
“It was delightful, we were going good fractions down the back and it was just a matter of keeping tabs on them. Once I hit the straight there, he went about his job really well and galloped all the way to the line.
“He was a horse we thought a hell of lot of from the beginning of the season. He has been progressing all the way. it’s good for myself and good for the horse. We are up against the best here and for us to do it in the Derby, you know this is what dreams are made of.
“All my horse does is gallop and once I was half a length down on the leader, I always thought he was going to get there. What this horse has done for us this season is pretty special and he is only going to go on to bigger and better things. I’m just delighted that we got this box ticked.
“We were on the biggest stage against many, many international raiders, to get the job done that is where I want to ride winners and I was lucky to ride one.”
Ahmad Bin Harmash, trainer, Golden Vekoma: “I am very proud. He’s a good horse and he has a big heart, he’ll try always. He’s been running very well over the mile [1600m] so we thought we’d try here then wait for the UAE Derby.
“There was only question mark when he finished third [on debut in December], he didn’t have any experience when we ran him, since that he has been running very well for us.
“It’s good to win here, when you travel to another country it’s hard, but it’s good when you show your horse. It’s good for the UAE and good for us.”
Akira Sugawara, jockey, Shin Emperor, 2nd: “It was a really close finish. He felt really good and travelled very well, so I was hoping that he would stay on until the finish. He has been training well over the surface throughout the week and he ran beautifully today. I was pretty confident of his chances coming into the race.”
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